Her hesitant eagerness charmed him, reminding him why all this had been
necessary. “It's an excellent start. You know, if you open a little, I can give you
an even better kiss.”
“Really?” She sounded doubtful.
She likes kissing that much, does she? Good. “Try it. Don't be startled though.”
“What are you going to do?”
“You'll see.”
Her lips parted. He lowered his mouth to hers again, pulling the pins from her hair to let the long dark strands fall all around her. How beautiful she is.
Working up the desire to be intimate with her would not be difficult at all. He already desired her, but he really did want her to find joy in their marriage bed
someday, and so he had to take her slowly.
Stroking the silky strands, he let his tongue touch her lips. She drew in a deep breath but didn't protest, allowing his experience to guide them. Excellent.
He entered her mouth. She tasted of tea and woman, and he worked her mouth
gently for long moments while her surprise faded. Eventually, she began to respond instinctively to his kiss, touching his tongue hesitantly with hers. He let
her explore for a few moments and then drew back.
“Was that wrong?” she asked, her eyes filled with worry.
It occurred to him that in her mind, doing things wrong was not just
embarrassing but dangerous. He hastened to reassure her. “No, it was perfect.”
“I feel like such a bad girl, being nude in bed with you.” Her eyes turned shy,
though he would not say exactly ashamed.
“Ironically, the same characteristics that make a bad girl make a good wife,”
Christopher replied. “Now that we're married, love, you have every right and responsibility to share your lovely body and your sweet kisses with me, and I have the same towards you.”
“Good. I like the way you touch me,” she said as his fingers stroked through
her hair.
“You haven't had enough affection in years, have you?”
She shook her head.
“I'll take care of that for you.” His words made her smile, nervously, but sincerely. “Now then, are you ready for a little more?”
“Such as?”
“You have lovely little breasts. May I touch them?”
Confusion again. “Why do you want to?”
Christopher squashed his frustration. It's not her fault she doesn't know. At
least she has no preconceived notions. “I think you might enjoy the sensation.”
“Is it allowed?”
“If we had time, I would let you read Song of Solomon. If the scriptures glory in a man touching his wife's breasts, we have nothing to worry about.”
Her expression turned thoughtful. “You're right. I'd forgotten that part.”
“You read it?” His eyes widened.
“Yes.”
He grinned. Under the crushing weight of abuse, a passionate woman waited
to be released. Something told him all the time it would take for her to heal would be worthwhile in the end. And so, he ran his hand up the length of her side, skimming lightly over the bruise, and stroked up to her collarbone. He traced his fingers down to the little globe. There wasn't an excess of flesh there,
but the nipple was lovely, and he caressed it tenderly.
“Oh,” she sighed, “that's very nice.”
